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The Great Council at Lindon adjourned after several long months of accomplishing nothing of value other than trying to convince Gil-galad to take a bride and parading every eligible elleth in front of him, much to Gil-galad's silent amusement at first.
The pressure on Gil to marry and produce an heir became more pronounced until finally he said if there were any further demands he would refuse to marry altogether. In order to pacify the council, Gil named Elrond as heir presumptive. At the time, none contested the idea of Elrond Peredhil as heir but Gil was a strategist if nothing else.
They were gone now, taking their daughters and families with them, and they would not return for a year in order to set their estates in order once more.
Whoever thought ruling was simple must have been quite mad, Elrond thought tiredly as he looked around the now empty chamber. Only a few stray parchments and quills remained on the tables for the young scribes to clear away.
He wondered if Lothlórien suffered from the same trouble and decided that it didn't. Despite outward appearances, Celeborn was a mere consort and only a genuine fool would risk incurring the wrath of Galadriel.
After checking that the windows were closed, Elrond locked the door and decided to look for Gil-galad at the stables. Gil loved his horses, using his rare free time to ride whenever possible.
Sure enough, Elrond found Gil at the stables, busy spoiling his favorites.
"Didn't take you long to find me, Elrond." Gil laughed as he patted the neck of a large white horse. "Come, meet my newest stallion. His name is Lemagnifique" and he handed Elrond a chunk of apple.
Elrond paused before extending his hand to the horse, who stretched his neck to sniff at him. The stallion's fine ears perked forward, the dark eyes bright and curious with spirit. He quickly snagged the apple, crunching noisily.
"A fine horse indeed, Gil," Elrond replied. "I know where you will be spending your days now."
"True enough" Gil gave the horse's neck a final pat before walking out of the stable. "But I am also planning a spa week, just for my private counselors."
"Oh?" Elrond was curious now, matching his stride to his king. "Spa week?"
"Yes indeed," Gil-galad said. "A week of just lying around and relaxing, doing nothing. Doesn't it sound wonderful?"
"It will be interesting," Elrond replied cautiously as the entered the palace by a side door.
“I have something special planned for tonight,” Gil-galad whispered in Elrond's ear as he delicately ran his tongue across the very tip. "Come, cousin."
Elrond followed Gil into an unused wing of his palace. After several minutes of what seemed like pointless wandering through the labyrinth of halls, the High King stopped in front of a large archway, the outer columns of which had been engraved with archaic Quenya runes in mithril. Elrond felt the fine hairs at the back of his neck begin to rise at the power that radiated from them. As they stood there, the High King began to sing a nearly inaudible chant that Elrond recognized as one of the most ancient of songs, one that tradition said had been sung at the Awakening in Cuiviénen, and without another thought, his voice joined that of the High King. The mithril runes shimmered and glowed as other etchings began to flicker with an inner light as well.
“Ithildin,” Gil murmured, and Elrond wondered dimly what lay beyond the arch – they were still inside and, judging by the entrance, the interior was even larger and more powerful.
“What does it say, Gil?”
“Speak, my kinsmen. Welcome, my beloved, and enter.” Gil stepped forward and whispered so quietly that even Elrond's sensitive ears could not quite make out the words. The mithril shimmered and glowed, outlining not only the runes but other etchings as well.
“Ithildin,” Elrond whispered but how could that be when they were inside the palace?
“Come, Elrond.”
Elrond took Gil's hand and stepped with him over the boundary. When he looked back, the arch was blank, as if the wall had never been there. But when he turned to look down the hallway...
“Tham-galad, the Hall of Reflection,” Gil-galad murmured. “Is it not exquisite, meleth?”
Elrond's eyes widened as he gasped in amazement. The hall was immense and he wondered just how it could go unnoticed by so many for so long. Every surface radiated an inner light, as though it had been hallowed by Aulë himself.
“How is this possible?” Elrond found himself speaking in hushed tones. “Ithildin... Who...? Why?”
“It was designed as a place for lovers and more,” Gil replied. “Only the best for the High King; do you not agree?”
Gil-galad began moving slowly down the hall, with Elrond beside him, pausing briefly in front of each panel to read yet another inscription. Elrond gave up trying to be subtle and studied the archaic writing eagerly, wondering what the king was looking for.
“Yes.” Elrond's brow furrowed in thought. “But that still doesn't explain this 'galarie'. There is more at work here than mere privacy and safety.”
A great deal more, Elrond mused, feeling the subtle eroticism of the chamber begin to build. It was easy to forget that Ereinion was powerful enough to wield two of the great Elven rings. He was able to do many things that even Círdan did not know.
“Here we are,” Gil said and the panel in front of them opened into a large room, lit by a fire and covered with fine rugs, furs and over-sized, soft cushions. “Come, cousin. Enter.”
“Beautiful.” Elrond stepped lightly into the room, gazing awestruck at the exquisite furnishings. “I did not dream such things existed.”
“These rugs are from a place called 'Rhun' in the Westron tongue. Harondor does excel in finding the best trade routes and trade goods, though their practices can be less than honorable at times. Please, be seated.”
Elrond lowered himself to the nearest rug while Gil-galad walked over to a small sideboard and opened it, placing a tray of sweetmeats next to Elrond before extracting a pair of crystal goblets and a bottle of wine. He carefully poured two glasses, extending one to Elrond before seating himself near the fireplace.
As Elrond took a sip, his eyes widened in surprise and Gil smiled.
"It's an experimental variety of classic Dorwinion. What do you think?"
"Most unusual," he managed at last before risking another sip. "Rather an acquired taste, I should think."
"Yes, that was my idea too." Gil nodded in agreement. "Perhaps use it for trade?"
Gil and Elrond talked quietly over the snacks for some time, shrugging out of the heavy shirts and loosening their formal braids as they did so. They took turns brushing out the heavy braids, sighing happily before stretching out side by side on the rugs once more.
Conversation began to lag, and idly Elrond plucked at a stray lock of Gil's hair, marveling at the faint sheen of red it seemed reflect at times.
"Elrond?" Gil asked, turning his head, his dark eyes probing, looking for something.
But what...? Before Elrond could form the question, Gil placed his arms around him and pulled him into a deep kiss. Surprised for a moment, Elrond did not respond immediately. Gil broke the kiss and turned away, his head and shoulders sagging in defeat.
“Forgive me, cousin. I will make any reparation to you that you wish for my assault upon your person.”
“Gil, no.” Elrond closed the distance between them with two quick steps. “It is you who must forgive me. I was taken by surprise. I did not realize that you had such feelings.”
“You are being kind now.” Gil kept himself turned away, and Elrond saw a hint of moisture in his eyes. “I have always known that I had... unnatural passions.”
“Then we are alike, cousin, for I have these same passions.” Elrond embraced Gil and laid his head on the broad shoulder of the High King. “I find you more desirable than any other, hir nin.”
“My beautiful one.” Gil pulled Elrond up a little and kissed him deeply. Elrond returned the kiss fully, moaning deep in his throat. “You are so beautiful.”
“No more than you, Gil,” Elrond replied breathlessly as he began to loosen any clothing he could touch. Elrond had admired Gil for years but he had long resigned himself to the idea of a platonic friendship with the High King. He never dared dream that Gil might feel the same way.
It was clear that Gil was even more impatient than he was, because he felt Gil's hard, calloused hands on either side of his face, pulling him into a hungry, demanding kiss with enough force that Elrond thought one of them might end up with a broken nose.
“Let's lie down.” Gil's voice was rough with need, and that was just fine with Elrond. They sank to the floor, and a distant part of Elrond's mind was thankful for the myriad soft pillows and cushions scattered on the rug-covered floor. They kissed for several minutes, slightly gentler this time, realizing that they had time now, and paused briefly to finish undressing.
"This night is for you, Gil. Take me, hir nin. I would worship you with my body, if it pleases you.”
“Yes, yes,” Gil-galad agreed. “You will indeed please me well, my dear.”
Elrond stretched his hand out to stroke Gil's face and run a thumb over his soft lips. Gil caught Elrond's hand easily and pressed a soft kiss to his palm then kissed his way up to Elrond's neck and shoulders, nuzzling at his throat before rolling him to his side and then onto his stomach. Gil began massaging Elrond's neck and shoulders, slowly working his way down his back.
"This is wonderful," Elrond sighed, feeling the knotted tension slowly being released.
"Perhaps I should go into business as a masseuse?" Gil chuckled.
"How about giving me lessons instead?" Elrond replied.
"Very well." Gil pulled away and reached for a small wooden box nearby and withdrew a vial of liquid. "First, and most importantly, one must choose the right oil..." He held the vial under Elrond's nose and Elrond instantly felt the first stirrings of renewed arousal.
"Does it meet with your approval then, cousin?" Gil asked with a smirk.
"Most definitely," Elrond sighed as Gil drizzled the oil along his back and buttocks, then began to work it in with firm, nimble fingers. Elrond moaned in pleasure, relaxing into Gil's assured touch.
After kneading the knots out of Elrond’s back, leaving him boneless and relaxed, Gil gentled his movements. He began working the oil into Elrond’s now pliant muscles with smooth, sensual intent, caressing the firm cheeks he had longed to touch, slipping his hand within to tease and arouse. Elrond opened his legs invitingly and Gil responded by using the oil to ease him open all the more. Unnatural passions indeed, Elrond scoffed in his thoughts. What could be more natural than sharing oneself with another this way? Especially someone as beautiful and caring as Gil?
Having surrendered to their mutual passion, neither was willing to hold back any longer. Elrond discovered, to his delight, that the room and the wine weren’t the only secrets Gil had for him. The massage oil had certain properties that not only fueled their passion but allowed for hours of intimacy Elrond would never have dreamed possible. When their time together finally grew short, they reluctantly rose and, with a final kiss, made their way to the hot springs, where they took turns bathing each other before wrapping up in soft, warmed towels.
"This has been wonderful, Gil," Elrond told him. "I suppose we must return soon, else there will be a search party."
"When we return, it will be as if only a few moments have passed," Gil reassured him. "Come, we must dress now."
They slowly returned to the main room, dressing and making their way back down the hall and out the door.
As they slowly made their way to the courtyard, Elrond noticed that the sun had moved very little.
"You see?" Gil whispered to him. "Only a few minutes."
"Your Grace?" A young page was hurrying toward them. They paused, and the youth sketched a quick bow. "Your Grace, Cook wishes to know your plans for supper."
"Tell Cook not to wait supper" Gil told him. "We are going swimming and will be back later."
"Very well, Your Grace." the page bowed again and hurried off.
"Swimming?" Elrond asked, raising his eyebrow slightly but Gil simply smiled at him.
"I originally planned on riding but," Gil shrugged his shoulders. "I think a swim would be more practical. Don't you agree?"
"Indeed," Elrond smiled as they walked from the courtyard to the well-used path leading to the outdoor pool.
When they finally returned from their swim, everyone remarked on how well-rested they looked.
*****